Houston Dash Captain Kealia Ohai Named Grand Marshal of 2020 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Downtown Rodeo Parade
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is excited to announce that Houston Dash forward and team captain Kealia Ohai will lead Houston into Rodeo season by serving as grand marshal of the 2020 Downtown Rodeo Parade. This annual event celebrates Western heritage and marks the beginning of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season, a tradition since 1938.
“We are thrilled to have Kealia Ohai help us kick off another great year at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said Joel Cowley, Rodeo president and CEO. “Her tremendous leadership and love for the city of Houston can be seen on and off the field, and it is an honor to have her leading our 2020 Downtown Rodeo Parade.”
Ohai was raised in Draper, Utah, and attended the University of North Carolina where she was a four-year starter for the Tar Heels soccer team from 2010 to 2013. Following her freshman year, she was named to the First-Team All Atlantic Coast Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team. In 2012, she played a key role on the national championship-winning Tar Heels team and was named the most outstanding player of the tournament.
In 2014, Ohai was selected as the second overall pick in the National Women’s Soccer League College Draft and was the first-ever pick of the Houston Dash expansion team. She was named team captain of the Dash in 2016.
The 2020 Downtown Rodeo Parade will be held Saturday, Feb. 29 at 10 a.m. The parade route begins at Bagby and Walker streets, travels from Travis to Bell, and from Bell to Louisiana, before turning on Lamar and ending at Lamar and Bagby streets.
Prior to the start of the parade will be the 2020 Rodeo Run, presented by ConocoPhillips. The Rodeo Run will include a wheelchair race, 10k race and a 5k fun run/walk.
Rodeo Run Schedule
- 9:10 a.m.: 10K Wheelchair
- 9:20 a.m.: 5K & 10K Elite, 10K Timed
- 9:35 a.m.: 5K Timed/Untimed
- 10 a.m.: Downtown Rodeo Parade
For more information about the Downtown Rodeo Parade, please visit: rodeohouston.com/Visit-the-Rodeo/Pre-Rodeo-Events/Parade.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $500 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2020 Rodeo is scheduled for March 3 – 22.